Do you think it's better to have a good-paying job you hate or a less-paying job you like?

Question

The good-paying job is only 5 miles from my house, but the less-paying jobs are 50 miles away, but could potentially be something I like better. Ultimately, do you go for money and location or happiness?

Answer 1

How much time do you spend at work? Shouldnt that time be fulfilling? Do you want to look back on your life and wish you would have made more money? Or had more happiness? Go for the job you'll like better. If its not a passion and just the lesser of two evils though, then go for the money, because at least you have something to show for all your suffering! But if its something you'll truly ENJOY then relocate, or just commute. Happiness should always win out. Another thing that will make you happy is living within your means. If you do take the lesser paying job, make sure you arent spending like you have the good paying job. It will keep your life simple.

Answer 2

The most important thing here is finding out why you hate the good-paying job and why you think the less-paying job could be better. Is there any possibility that something is preventing you from fully realizing your potential and you hate the job? Then you need to face these difficult issues.

Sometimes settling for something that looks and 'feels' comfy may be bad in the long run. It could deprive us of improving ourselves through learning challenges.

50 miles one-way means a lot of extra time commuting. You could spend that time with family or hobbies and find more happiness.

Happiness is very elusive - if you chase happiness, it may not be there where you thought it would be.

All the best!

Answer 3

I worked at a job I hated, and it really affected my personal life. I would hate to wake up in the morning, because I had to go to work. I'd spend 8 hours at work just waiting to go home. And my Sunday's were ruined because I was dreading heading back to work on Monday.

So, never go for a job you hate because it'll make you miserable, no matter how much money you make.

Answer 4

I go for my own personal business and never work for people.

Answer 5

i've worked both and i can definitely say from experience that there is something to be said for liking your job.  it makes it much easier to get out of bed every morning and you actually get sick less often (your brain knows that if you feel a bit sick you won't go to work so it will think you into sick to keep from having to deal with the stress of the job you hate).  i worked jobs i hated and called in sick at least once a month, not to mention the real effects on my health, personal life, and general mental health.  i worked a job i loved (i worked for several different companies in the same position in each one) and i miraculously didn't get sick for the whole 5 years i had the job.  do what you love, life is too short to hate every day of it.